Dog training: useful tips for dog training
Good dog training is vital for a happy life with your furry friend. Read this article for tips on training your dog, basic commands and tricks.
11.06.2024
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1. Basic rules for training your dog
You need patience, perseverance and the right skills to train your dog successfully. With the right basic knowledge you can get started quickly. You can then expand your knowledge step by step to help your dog learn new skills.
Keep a few things in mind before you start:
Successful dog training is based on trust and understanding.
Use positive reinforcement to your advantage. Reward good behaviour with praise or treats.
Don’t scold your dog. It upsets them and they don’t understand why you’re doing it.
Keep training sessions short and playful. This keeps your dog motivated and promotes learning.
Dog insurance – be on the safe side.
Visiting the vet can be expensive. Pet insurance protects you financially if your pet falls ill or has an accident.
2. What commands should my dog learn?
Learning commands is an important foundation of dog training. If they can master these commands, your four-legged friend is well on the way to fitting into society.
The word you use for each command is up to you, but only use one word for each command.
Basic commands
| Command | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Sit! | Hold a treat over your dog’s head and slowly move it backwards until they sit. |
| Down! | Move a treat slowly down to the floor until your dog lies down. |
| Stay! | Show your dog the palm of your hand and speak the command as you slowly move away. |
How do I teach my dog commands?
Use the following steps to help your dog learn new commands:
Step 1: first, motivate your dog to learn something new. This requires patience and creativity. Make use of your voice, body language and treats. Always be patient with your dog and praise even small progress.
Step 2: at the exact moment your dog does what you want them to, say the command. Reward your dog if they carry out the command perfectly.
Step 3: repeat the exercise. Make sure you have short but regular training sessions.
Through repetition, your dog creates a connection between the signal you give them and the action you expect. This process is called conditioning.
The end goal is for your dog to reliably demonstrate the desired behaviour on command, automatically and without aids.
Calling your dog by name
Just before you give a command, call your dog by name kindly but firmly. With time, your dog will realize that an important command is about to come. The goal is to grab your dog’s attention and make sure they react reliably.
3. What advanced commands should my dog learn?
In addition to basic commands, your dog can also learn a wide range of advanced commands. This includes calling your dog back.
Callback
| Command | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Come! | This is the callback command. Call out the name of your dog followed by “come!”. Use a friendly but firm voice and reward your dog when they come back to you. |
How to train the callback command
If you want to walk your dog without a lead in open areas, it’s important your dog responds well to the callback command. If not, you may get into unpleasant or even dangerous situations with other people and dogs.
How it works: practice in an area that’s safe and free of distractions. Call your dog with a clear command such as “here!” or “come!”. Give them a reward every time they come. This helps strengthen the positive link.
Gradually increase distractions. It’s important your dog can react reliably even in more demanding situations.
Good to know: a long lead can be very useful for practicing callback training. This gives your dog freedom while keeping you in control.
Advanced dog commands
Teach your dog new skills with advanced commands. These help make your life together more pleasant and let your dog enjoy more freedom.
| Command | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Heel! | Train your dog to walk by your side without pulling. Begin by holding a treat or toy in your hand. |
| To me! | This command is a continuation of “heel!”. Your dog should learn to stay by your side even without a lead. |
| Out! | Use this command to teach your dog to release something out of their mouth. Offer them a treat and ask for the object in their mouth in exchange. |
| No! | Use a clear and firm “no!” to prevent any unwanted behaviour. Keep your voice friendly and consistent and redirect the behaviour if necessary. |
| Fetch! | This command asks your dog to retrieve an object. Reward them when they bring you the item successfully. The best way to do this is with (particularly delicious) treats. |
4. What about dog tricks?
Alongside useful commands, your dog can learn tricks for some extra fun and variety.
Tip: start with simple tricks and keep training sessions short and playful. Gradually make the sessions more difficult.
Popular dog tricks
| Command | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Paw! | Hold a treat in your closed hand. Your dog should attempt to grab the treat with their paw. When they do, open your hand, give them the treat and praise them. |
| Roll! | Have your dog lie down first (with the “down!” command). Hold a treat to their nose. Slowly move it behind their head so they have to follow the smell. The aim is for your dog to roll onto their side. Keep moving the treat in a circle around your dog’s back until they roll over. Reward small successes. |
| Bang! (play dead) | Use the command to make your dog lie down. Motivate them to lie down on their side with a treat. Give the command and hold the treat close to their nose to keep them calm. Give a reward if they stay still. |
| Through! | Use a treat to encourage your dog to walk between your legs. Reward your dog when they get it right. |
| Kiss! | Hold a treat close to your face and give the command “kiss!”. Reward your dog as soon as he gently touches your face with his nose. |
| Speak! | As soon as your dog barks naturally, say “speak!”. Reward them immediately with a treat. Repeat until he understands and barks on command. |
| Back! | Hold a treat by your dog’s nose and move it slowly backwards. Reward your dog as soon as they move backwards. |
5. What basic techniques help with dog training?
Alongside practising commands and tricks, there are other techniques you can use for effective training. Here are some basic best practices:
This is one of the most effective methods used in dog training. The idea is to reward positive behaviour immediately through treats, praise or play. Positive reinforcement makes your dog more likely to repeat positive behaviour.
A specific form of positive reinforcement, clicker training uses a small device that makes a clear clicking sound.
Use the “click” at the exact moment your dog shows the desired behaviour – followed by a reward. This helps your dog understand exactly what behaviour is being rewarded.
Sometimes doing nothing is the best approach: if appropriate, ignore your dog if they show unwanted behaviour. This can encourage your dog not to repeat such behaviour in the future.
Consistency is crucial in dog training. Only through clear boundaries does your dog learn what’s allowed and what isn’t. If necessary, be at least as stubborn as your dog – of course with the necessary friendliness and fairness.
Good lead control makes walks and encounters with other dogs more relaxed.
Here’s how to train it: stop immediately as soon as your dog pulls. Don’t move until the lead is loose again. This teaches your dog that pulling on the lead won’t get them where they want to go. When the lead stays loose, reward your dog.
A u-turn allows you to get away easily from a potentially unpleasant situation.
How it works: if your dog is moving towards something you don’t want them to, make a clear change of direction and signal a u-turn. This interrupts whatever your dog was planning and brings their attention back to you. Use body language to signal to your dog where you want them to go back to.
A well-timed u-turn can get you and your dog out of a potentially tense situation. Your dog receives a clear instruction and doesn’t have to solve a tricky situation on their own. This makes them feel safe and well-led.
When “commuting,” you and your dog are approaching a potentially stressful situation – such as another dog – indirectly.
For example, taking a winding, snaky path. This places the focus on moving sideways instead of straight ahead.
Dogs often perceive things approaching them head-on as a potential threat and will react accordingly. Consequently, moving in a curved pattern is perceived as more friendly.
Learn to understand different forms of communication and reassurance signals from your dog. Responding appropriately reduces stress and anxiety in your dog, and nurtures your relationship.
6. Communication: do you speak dog?
Dogs like to communicate a lot, primarily through their body language, vocalizations and touch. Learn to understand different forms of communication and reassurance signals from your dog.
Responding appropriately to your dog’s signals will help you better meet their needs. It also helps strengthen your relationship and reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Interpreting body language
| Signal | Meaning | Recommended response |
|---|---|---|
| Tail wagging | May mean pleasure or excitement, depending on the tail’s posture. | React positively if your dog appears relaxed. |
| Ears flat | Submission or fear, depending on the context. | Speak reassuringly, don’t pressure your dog. |
| Showing teeth | Aggression or defensive behaviour. | Create distance, calm situation down. |
| Eye contact | May signal trust or a challenge. Can also signal a need – for example, to walk. | Praise for trust. Stay calm and determined when challenged. Respond to dog’s need if required. |
Understand vocalizations
| Type of noise | Meaning | Recommended response |
|---|---|---|
| Barking | May mean alarm, excitement or wanting to play. | Check the context and react accordingly. Calm your dog down if need be. |
| Growling | Warning, fear or threat. | Don’t frighten your dog. Calm situation down and keep your distance. |
| Howling | Loneliness, pain or greeting. | Offer your company. Work out why your dog is howling and give them comfort. |
| Whimpering | Excitement, fear or the desire for attention. | Check your dog’s needs, calm them down and give them attention if necessary. |
How do I recognize calming signals?
Dogs use calming signals to relieve stress, avoid conflicts and show their peaceful intentions.
Properly understanding these signals gives you a better understanding of your dog’s communication and lets you respond appropriately.
Dogs’ calming signals
| Signal | Meaning | Possible response |
|---|---|---|
| Yawn | A sign of stress or discomfort; may also signal special excitement. | Speak soothingly and take a break from whatever you and your dog are doing to reduce stress. |
| Nose licking | A sign of nervousness or stress. | Give distance and calm the situation down to reduce stress. |
| Looking away | Trying to avoid conflict or showing lack of interest. | Don’t force attention onto your dog; give them space to make them feel safe. |
| Body shaking | Shaking off stress or tension, similar to after a bath. | Observe the situation and remove possible stressors. |
| Raising paw | Uncertainty or attempting to please in a social interaction. | Approach slowly and calmly so as not to overwhelm the dog. |
| Quietly sitting or lying down | Dog signalling it’s not a threat or is even submitting. | Praise and reassure the dog to give security. |
| Slow blink | Trying to relax the situation towards a dog or person | Signal trust, try to change the situation to keep your dog calm. |
| Lowering head | Submissiveness or trying to be less threatening. | Gentle approach and avoid direct eye contact to reduce pressure. |
| Walking in an arc | Making an indirect approach to show peaceful intentions and avoid confrontation. | Give positive reinforcement to encourage behaviour and reassure. |
7. Dog training FAQs
Sexual differences in traits and characteristics vary depending on the breed, character, age and upbringing. Neutering can help reduce gender-dependent behaviour.
Males:
Are more prone to territorial behaviour such as marking and guarding.
May be more dominant or aggressive towards other dogs.
Are sometimes more stubborn and distracted during training.
Females:
Show less territorial behaviour.
Are often more reserved and less aggressive towards other dogs.
Are considered to be more attentive and easier to train, but can be temperamental when in heat.
It’s worth attending a dog school, especially if you haven’t owned a dog before. You’ll learn the important basics for training your dog and practice contact with other dogs and dog owners. Important: depending on the canton and your dog’s breed, it may be obligatory to attend a dog school.
Pay attention to the following when raising a puppy:
Early socialization: bring your puppy into contact with different people, other animals and new environments. Get them used to different sounds.
Consistent training: teach them basic commands through regular, short training sessions.
Health management: ensure a balanced diet. Have the necessary vaccinations and health checks carried out.
House training: take your puppy outside regularly. Praise them when they do their business outside.
Avoid undesirable behaviour: correct it immediately. For example, offer chew toys to prevent them from gnawing the furniture.
Build a strong bond: always show patience and love to build a strong bond and encourage positive behaviour.
Pubertal dogs can be challenging. Many can become stubborn or headstrong. They may suddenly no longer react reliably to learned commands, for example.
Males and females in heat will also demonstrate an increased sex drive. Many dogs also have a particularly strong need for exercise, play and exercise.
Be patient and consistent. Maintain training and focus on positive reinforcement through reward and motivation.
Behaviour: castration can bring about significant changes in behaviour. Males will usually show a decrease in aggression and dominance behaviour towards other males. There will also be less undesirable reproductive behaviour.
Health: sterilization can reduce the chances of certain health problems, especially in females. Spayed females have a much lower risk of developing malignant tumours in their teats.
Neutering should always be done for a valid reason and in consultation with a vet.
